Wyoming Parks & Recreation Department 2012 Annual Report

More documents

Recommendations

Info

ADULT SOFTBALL LEAGUES: GROWING AGAIN! 2012 once again saw an increase in the number of teams that registered for the Parks and Recreation Department’s softball leagues. The spring/summer leagues grew from 98 teams to 104 teams, a 6.1% increase. The fall leagues grew 1.2%, from 86 teams to 87 teams. Since 2005, the number of teams has grown 62.5% for spring/summer leagues and 141.7% for fall leagues. So what brings these teams to the Wyoming leagues, and just as importantly, what brings them back each year? Comments from our managers evaluation point to the fact that Wyoming runs a quality program. Managers appreciate having approachable staff members, whether at the field or in the office. They know someone is there to listen to their concerns. They also appreciate not being “surprised” when they arrive at the field. Whether it’s a change in schedule, weather-related cancellations or delays, or just knowing the opponent is going to be short-handed to start a game, we let the managers know as soon as possible. The support managers receive from the department, as one manager put it, makes it “easy to manage.” When asked what the teams enjoyed the most about the Wyoming leagues, many of the teams noted the competitive balance of the leagues. Everyone likes to win, but it’s not the only thing that matters. “The friendly competition” and the opportunity to “spend time with friends” are what helps to define the experience for participants in our softball leagues. The department works hard to find the appropriate balance that teams are looking for. According to one manager, we got it right: “The laid-back but competitive atmosphere was a nice change from overly competitive leagues and “church” leagues (no-competition). It was a nice in-between league.” Wyoming’s softball leagues draw participants from all over the greater-Grand Rapids area, making an economic impact locally. By listening and being responsive to the needs of our teams, Wyoming will continue making our community a softball destination where teams tell us, “Overall, Awesome program! Great Job. Definitely will be back next year.” 200 175 Number of Softball Teams Through the Years 150 125 100 75 50 25 0 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Summer Fall Total “We look forward to our Friday nights out at the ball field. You guys do a great job, which is why we enjoy playing here.” - A coed league manager Page 6 ● Annual Report FY 2012 Wyoming Parks & Recreation Department
Volunteering in the community is a huge part of being a member of the Wyoming Teen Council. The 14 members of our Teen Council volunteered over 663 hours in 2012! Of these hours, 401 hours were spent volunteering at special events, 86 hours supported Reverse Mentoring seniors at the Wyoming Senior Center, and 108 were spent on a special summer project. Entering into their third year as a Teen Council, the teens chose to focus their time on giving back to the community through volunteerism. The Teen Council partnered often with the Wyoming Senior Center volunteering at major events such as Christmas in July, Fellowship Club Picnic and “Happy Hour.” They also mentored seniors monthly through their Reverse Mentoring program. Reverse Mentoring is a program held at the Wyoming Senior Center where people age 50 and older receive 2012 Volunteer Events Maranda Park Party Teen Water Fight Kid 2 Kid Sale Christmas in July (WSC) Annual Picnic (WSC) Movie in the Park Happy Hour (WSC) Pumpkin Path Santa Parade Zumba Nite Fundraiser Wyoming-Grandville Relay for Life WYOMING TEEN COUNCIL CONTINUES TO GROW free technology help from members of the Wyoming Teen Council. Guidance on computers, digital cameras, Facebook, cell phones, email accounts and other technology related items is given helping to bridge the generation gap in our community by putting teens in a teaching role with their elders. The Teen Council kept extra busy this summer dedicating 108 hours to a project to create two PSA (public service announcements). The teens wrote, filmed and edited PSAs on truancy and gang recruitment. The project was made possible by a grant that the Wyoming Community Youth Coalition received from the Wyoming Community Foundation. An Intern from the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan spearheaded the project. “Thanks to the teens who met me at my car right away to register me and direct me!” - Kid 2 Kid Sale Participant “It was a lot of fun being on the Teen Council this past year and I’m really looking forward to being on the e-board this fall.” - Teen Council Member www.wyomingmi.gov ● 616-530-3164 Annual Report FY 2012 ● Page 7
Page 1 and 2: Wyoming Parks & Recreation Departme
Page 3 and 4: DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE As staff we st
Page 5: YOUTH & FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Page 9 and 10: T.E.A.M. 21: MEETING THE NEEDS OF A
Page 11 and 12: WYOMING SENIOR CENTER COMPLETES GAM
Page 13 and 14: The Stepping Stones program continu
Page 15 and 16: DISTRIBUTION OF PARK MAINTENANCE SE
Page 17 and 18: LEAVE-A-MARK, ADOPT-A-PARK! Wyoming
Page 19 and 20: 2012 PARTNERS AND SPONSORS The foll

Wyoming Parks & Recreation Department 2012 Annual Report

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?